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| George Floyd death: People cannot be silent in the face of racism, says Nandy | George Floyd death: People cannot be silent in the face of racism, says Nandy |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Labour's Lisa Nandy has said people "cannot be silent in the face of racism" as she backed those attending protests during the pandemic. | Labour's Lisa Nandy has said people "cannot be silent in the face of racism" as she backed those attending protests during the pandemic. |
| The shadow foreign secretary said young people were "right to raise their voices" but urged demonstrators to take precautions and socially distance. | The shadow foreign secretary said young people were "right to raise their voices" but urged demonstrators to take precautions and socially distance. |
| Further protests sparked by the death of George Floyd during his arrest in the US last month are planned later. | Further protests sparked by the death of George Floyd during his arrest in the US last month are planned later. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged people not to gather in large groups. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged people not to gather in large groups. |
| Ms Nandy told the BBC's Andrew Marr she was "proud" of young people demanding change following mass anti-racism protests across the UK on Saturday. | Ms Nandy told the BBC's Andrew Marr she was "proud" of young people demanding change following mass anti-racism protests across the UK on Saturday. |
| "I think it's one of the most important things about living in a free society is that people can go out and protest," she said. | "I think it's one of the most important things about living in a free society is that people can go out and protest," she said. |
| She added: "I've said repeatedly that it must be safe, people should social distance - please take precautions - but I'm very proud of those young people who are coming out and speaking up. | She added: "I've said repeatedly that it must be safe, people should social distance - please take precautions - but I'm very proud of those young people who are coming out and speaking up. |
| "Now I'm someone who has lived with racism in my life, I've seen it with my family, I've seen it in our country and I think it requires you to take an active stance against it. | "Now I'm someone who has lived with racism in my life, I've seen it with my family, I've seen it in our country and I think it requires you to take an active stance against it. |
| "You cannot be silent in the face of racism and police brutality, and I think those young people are right to raise their voices and to demand change." | "You cannot be silent in the face of racism and police brutality, and I think those young people are right to raise their voices and to demand change." |
| But Mr Hancock said that, with an estimated one in 1,000 people being infectious with the coronavirus, the protests risked spreading the disease, which would then risk lives. | But Mr Hancock said that, with an estimated one in 1,000 people being infectious with the coronavirus, the protests risked spreading the disease, which would then risk lives. |
| He added: "There is a reason why we have laws in place, temporarily, to say that gatherings over six people should not happen and that's because the virus spreads." | He added: "There is a reason why we have laws in place, temporarily, to say that gatherings over six people should not happen and that's because the virus spreads." |
| Prof John Edmunds, an member of the government's scientific advisory group Sage, said - even with reduced transmission outdoors - the large numbers protesting increased the risk of spread. | |
| "If you have a crowd of a few thousand people you would expect some of those people to be infectious," he said. | |
| "And we know that the infection can be passed on by people who don't have symptoms." | |
| 'We're dying anyway' | 'We're dying anyway' |
| The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who is the Church of England's first female black bishop, told BBC Breakfast racism was killing people. | The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who is the Church of England's first female black bishop, told BBC Breakfast racism was killing people. |
| She said the protests were necessary as "sadly the world pays no attention when we do not stand up". | She said the protests were necessary as "sadly the world pays no attention when we do not stand up". |
| "Most people have responsibly weighed up the risk that they would be taking in order to stand up," she said. | "Most people have responsibly weighed up the risk that they would be taking in order to stand up," she said. |
| "There has been a greater pandemic throughout the world that no one has seen or heard or actually stood up for in a real way. | "There has been a greater pandemic throughout the world that no one has seen or heard or actually stood up for in a real way. |
| "And so people are thinking 'We're dying anyway, so we're going to stand up now.' | "And so people are thinking 'We're dying anyway, so we're going to stand up now.' |
| "People are saying 'Enough is enough,'" she added, calling for a renewed social contract to address "systemic inequality". | "People are saying 'Enough is enough,'" she added, calling for a renewed social contract to address "systemic inequality". |
| On Saturday, thousands protested across the UK including in London, Manchester and Cardiff. | On Saturday, thousands protested across the UK including in London, Manchester and Cardiff. |
| While the majority of the day's demonstrations remained peaceful, there were disturbances in the evening outside Downing Street in central London. | While the majority of the day's demonstrations remained peaceful, there were disturbances in the evening outside Downing Street in central London. |
| Missiles and fireworks were aimed at police and bikes were also thrown by some demonstrators. | |
| The Metropolitan Police said 14 officers were injured, including a mounted officer who came off a horse as it bolted down Whitehall, with a further 13 hurt earlier in the week. | The Metropolitan Police said 14 officers were injured, including a mounted officer who came off a horse as it bolted down Whitehall, with a further 13 hurt earlier in the week. |
| Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was "appalled" by the scenes of unrest on Saturday night, which led to 14 arrests. | Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was "appalled" by the scenes of unrest on Saturday night, which led to 14 arrests. |
| She added: "There is no place for violence in our city. Officers displayed extreme patience and professionalism throughout a long and difficult day, and I thank them for that. | She added: "There is no place for violence in our city. Officers displayed extreme patience and professionalism throughout a long and difficult day, and I thank them for that. |
| "I would urge protesters to please find another way to make your views heard which does not involve coming out on the streets of London, risking yourself, your families and officers as we continue to face this deadly virus." | "I would urge protesters to please find another way to make your views heard which does not involve coming out on the streets of London, risking yourself, your families and officers as we continue to face this deadly virus." |
| How George Floyd's death resonated in the UK | How George Floyd's death resonated in the UK |